Commission accepts funding, approves contract

CHARLESTON - Mississippi County commissioners accepted funding through the Office of the State Court Administrator's Domestic Relations program during their regular meeting Thursday and approved a contract for Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center to provide the services funded with the grants.

Circuit Court Judge David Dolan signed off on the two grant applications, according to County Clerk Junior DeLay.

Domestic Relations Resolution Funds to fund a Batterer Intervention Program totaling $27,765 were approved for the first year and $27,630 for the second.

The second grant for Child Access Visitation was approved for $28,920 for the first year and $28,720 for the second year.

Commissioners also discussed requiring future grants that pass through the county to include some additional money for administrative costs to cover the county's additional expenses such as higher liability insurance premiums related to the larger budget.

In other Mississippi County Commission business:

* An order that states before an electric utility company may construct a new electric service anywhere in the unincorporated areas of the county, the person building the structure must obtain an approval permit from the county floodplain coordinator was approved by commissioners.

The requirement is in place "whether it's in a floodplain or not," according to DeLay.

Commissioners noted this is the same type of order issued recently in Scott County and officials hope to see the order passed in New Madrid County as well. "That would cover the whole (electrical) co-op," said Commissioner Martin Lucas.

* Commissioners reviewed letters from Betty Collier and the Rev. Gerald Collier of Charleston stating their opposition to the proposed gambling casino near Wyatt.

No letters supporting the project have been received by commissioners yet, commissioners confirmed.

* Commissioners approved spending $7 per tree to have the new oaks at the Oak Grove Cemetery sprayed to protect them from gall.

They also approved putting irrigation heads in and construction of an enclosure for the irrigation pump.

* The county's Johnson grass spraying operation was discussed by commissioners, noting the season is already upon them.

"They start spraying Johnson grass right now," said Commissioner Homer Oliver.

Oliver said the Missouri Department of Transportation has been spraying a growth suppressant so they wouldn't have to mow as often.

Commissioners all agreed that the motor graders need to be parked and their drivers placed on spraying duty during hot, dry weather.

They also agreed to look for one small truck to buy for the spraying operation from the Johnson grass fund.